Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73not60
§8110 Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers
Title 7 › Chapter 107— RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › § 8110
Summary
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to buy certain sugar products from U.S. sellers and sell them to fuel ethanol and other biofuel makers for the 2008 through 2026 crops when needed. The goal is to run a related sugar program without costing the federal government by avoiding forfeitures to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Definitions: bioenergy = fuel‑grade ethanol and other biofuel; bioenergy producer = a company that makes bioenergy using an eligible commodity; eligible commodity = raw, refined, or in‑process sugar that can be sold or used for sugar for people; eligible entity = a U.S. business that markets eligible commodity in the U.S. The Secretary must, when needed, buy and sell these commodities and, as much as possible, use competitive bids. Each crop year the Secretary will announce how much sugar will be available (initial notice after the 2008 law and each September 1 through 2026), then reestimate and update that amount by January 1, April 1, and July 1. If the CCC already holds sugar from the related program, the Secretary will sell it to bioenergy producers, dispose of it under the program rules, or buy back quota certificates; in emergencies the Secretary may use other CCC authorities. Bioenergy buyers must take possession within 30 days of purchase. The Secretary should avoid CCC storage fees when possible, and must use CCC funds, facilities, and powers to run the program. If sugar subject to marketing allotments is paid under this program, it counts against the processor’s allotment.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §8110
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In this section:
(1)The term “bioenergy” means fuel grade ethanol and other biofuel.
(2)The term “bioenergy producer” means a producer of bioenergy that uses an eligible commodity to produce bioenergy under this section.
(3)The term “eligible commodity” means a form of raw or refined sugar or in-process sugar that is eligible to be marketed in the United States for human consumption or to be used for the extraction of sugar for human consumption.
(4)The term “eligible entity” means an entity located in the United States that markets an eligible commodity in the United States.
(b)(1)(A)For each of the 2008 through 2026 crops, the Secretary shall purchase eligible commodities from eligible entities and sell such commodities to bioenergy producers for the purpose of producing bioenergy in a manner that ensures that section 7272 of this title is operated at no cost to the Federal Government by avoiding forfeitures to the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(B)In carrying out the purchases and sales required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use competitive procedures, including the receiving, offering, and accepting of bids, when entering into contracts with eligible entities and bioenergy producers, provided that such procedures are consistent with the purposes of subparagraph (A).
(C)The purchase and sale of eligible commodities under subparagraph (A) shall only be made in crop years in which such purchases and sales are necessary to ensure that the program authorized under section 7272 of this title is operated at no cost to the Federal Government by avoiding forfeitures to the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(2)(A)As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and each September 1 thereafter through September 1, 2026, the Secretary shall provide notice to eligible entities and bioenergy producers of the quantity of eligible commodities that shall be made available for purchase and sale for the crop year following the date of the notice under this section.
(B)Not later than the January 1, April 1, and July 1 of the calendar year following the date of a notice under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall reestimate the quantity of eligible commodities determined under subparagraph (A), and provide notice and make purchases and sales based on such reestimates.
(3)(A)(i)Except as provided in clause (ii), to the extent that an eligible commodity is owned and held in inventory by the Commodity Credit Corporation (accumulated pursuant to the program authorized under section 7272 of this title), the Secretary shall—
(I)sell the eligible commodity to bioenergy producers under this section consistent with paragraph (1)(C);
(II)dispose of the eligible commodity in accordance with section 7272(f)(2) of this title; or
(III)otherwise dispose of the eligible commodity through the buyback of certificates of quota entry.
(ii)Nothing in this section limits the use of other authorities for the disposition of an eligible commodity held in the inventory of the Commodity Credit Corporation for nonfood use or otherwise in a manner that does not increase the net quantity of sugar available for human consumption in the United States market, consistent with section 7272(f)(1) of this title.
(B)Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if there is an emergency shortage of sugar for human consumption in the United States market that is caused by a war, flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster, or other similar event, the Secretary may dispose of an eligible commodity that is owned and held in inventory by the Commodity Credit Corporation (accumulated pursuant to the program authorized under section 7272 of this title) through disposition as authorized under section 7272(f) of this title or through the use of any other authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(4)(A)Except with regard to emergency dispositions under paragraph (3)(B) and as provided in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall ensure that bioenergy producers that purchase eligible commodities pursuant to this section take possession of the eligible commodities within 30 calendar days of the date of such purchase from the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(B)(i)The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, carry out this section in a manner that ensures no storage fees are paid by the Commodity Credit Corporation in the administration of this section.
(ii)Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to any commodities owned and held in inventory by the Commodity Credit Corporation (accumulated pursuant to the program authorized under section 7272 of this title).
(C)(i)The Secretary may enter into contracts with bioenergy producers to sell eligible commodities to such producers prior in time to entering into contracts with eligible entities to purchase the eligible commodities to be used to satisfy the contracts entered into with the bioenergy producers.
(ii)If the Secretary makes a sale and purchase referred to in clause (i), the Secretary shall ensure that the bioenergy producer that purchased eligible commodities takes possession of such commodities within 30 calendar days of the date the Commodity Credit Corporation purchases the eligible commodities.
(5)If sugar that is subject to a marketing allotment under part VII of subtitle B of title III of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359aa et seq.) is the subject of a payment under this section, the sugar shall be considered marketed and shall count against a processor’s allocation of an allotment under such part, as applicable.
(6)The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation, including the use of such sums as are necessary, to carry out this section.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008. The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), is act Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, 52 Stat. 31. Part VII of subtitle B of title III of the Act is classified to subpart VII (§ 1359aa et seq.) of part B of subchapter II of chapter 35 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1281 of this title and Tables. Codification Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 9010 of Pub. L. 107–171 was classified to section 8108 of this title, prior to the general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 110–246.
Amendments
2025—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 119–37 substituted “2026” for “2025”. 2024—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 118–158 substituted “2025” for “2024”. 2023—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 118–22 substituted “2024” for “2023”. 2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 115–334 substituted “2023” for “2018”. 2014—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 113–79 substituted “2018” for “2013”. 2013—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (2)(A). Pub. L. 112–240 substituted “2013” for “2012”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 2025 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 119–37 to be applied and administered as if enacted on Sept. 30, 2025, see section 5002(g) of Pub. L. 119–37, set out in an Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 9001 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2024 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 118–158 to be applied and administered as if enacted on Sept. 30, 2024, see section 4101(g) of Pub. L. 118–158, set out in an Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 9001 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2023 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 118–22 to be applied and administered as if enacted on Sept. 30, 2023, see section 102(g) of Pub. L. 118–22, set out in an Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 9001 of this title.
Effective Date
of 2013 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 112–240 effective Sept. 30, 2012, see section 701(j) of Pub. L. 112–240, set out in a 1-Year Extension of Agricultural Programs note under section 8701 of this title.
Effective Date
Enactment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 8110
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60